Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dexter, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The structure of hair naturally retains biomarkers from drugs and alcohol within its fibers over time. When collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair sampling is straightforward, less susceptible to tampering, and convenient for transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches long and comprising roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG add-ons or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen accurately. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be sourced. Note that 'head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This process includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary check for substances of abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient way to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive result in screening requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any sample initially testing positive in screening needs further confirmation testing.

Should a sample test positive during the Screening step, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample for further preparation in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the more complex methodologies.

Positive screening results are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples identified as presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing covers up to 90 days of drug use, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Resistant to manipulation: Altering the outcome of a hair drug test is challenging, ensuring more legitimate results.
• Historical data provision: It reflects a drug use pattern over time, providing more than an indication of recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Detection delay in recent use: A time span of approximately 5-7 days is needed for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests cost more than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed 'hair follicle tests', the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dexter, TX
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing stands out for its superior accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window offers a clearer, long-term view of substance usage, making it difficult to disguise.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Dexter, TX
Hair follicle testing's ability to detect drug use up to 90 days provides employers with a comprehensive history of an individual’s substance usage, delivering insights beyond short-term tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Dexter, TX
Hair follicle tests are designed to significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering. The integrity of the collected sample remains uncompromised, producing trustworthy results that are beyond question.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Dexter, TX
Accessing testing services is made simple with our widespread network of testing centers. This nationwide reach, including local options in Dexter, TX, ensures fast and straightforward testing access.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Dexter, TX
Our process for ordering and taking tests is both simple and confidential. Individuals can rest assured about their privacy while enjoying the ease and efficiency of obtaining results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Dexter, TX
We offer competitive pricing and efficient turnaround times that deliver exceptional value. Our services cater to companies of varying sizes, ensuring both affordability and rapid results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Dexter, TX
Hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and precise results. Their high sensitivity allows for accurate detection of substance use, ensuring that testing is both timely and dependable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Dexter, TX
Using hair follicle testing ensures employers remain compliant with drug-free workplace policies. This, in turn, lowers the legal risks associated with non-compliance and promotes a safer working environment.

Drug Testing Near Dexter, TX

Marysville, TX

Lindsay, TX

Preston, TX

Collinsville, TX

Pottsboro, TX

Southmayd, TX

Lake Kiowa, TX

Gainesville, TX

Woodbine, TX

Northwest Grayson, TX

Whitesboro, TX

Sadler, TX

Callisburg, TX

Sherwood Shores, TX

Gordonville, TX

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews